Choosing the right gift for someone living with Alzheimer's disease

KEY POINTS

Gift selection should align with the cognitive abilities of the recipient.

Spending quality time together is often the most valuable gift for dementia patients.

Gather early in the day to reduce confusion for the individual with dementia.

If someone you love has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia — and 7.4 million Americans including 38,300 Utahns do — gift giving can be a bit tricky.

Not all typical gifts are a good idea and depending on the dementia stage, some well-intentioned gifts may not be appropriate, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Choosing a meaningful gift for someone living with dementia requires thoughtful consideration,” said Stacie Kulp, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Utah, in a written statement. “It’s important